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Towards Sustainable Construction: Systematic Review of Lean and Circular Economy Integration

Abderrazzak El Hafiane (), Abdelali En-nadi and Mohamed Ramadany
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Abderrazzak El Hafiane: Laboratory of Industrial Techniques, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez 30050, Morocco
Abdelali En-nadi: Laboratory of Industrial Techniques, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez 30050, Morocco
Mohamed Ramadany: Laboratory of Industrial Techniques, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez 30050, Morocco

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 15, 1-42

Abstract: The construction sector significantly contributes to global environmental degradation through intensive resource extraction, high energy consumption, and substantial waste generation. Addressing this unsustainable trajectory requires integrated approaches that simultaneously improve operational efficiency and material circularity. Lean Construction (LC) and Circular Economy (CE) offer complementary frameworks for enhancing process performance and reducing environmental impacts. However, their combined implementation remains underdeveloped and fragmented. This study conducts a systematic literature review (SLR) of 18 peer-reviewed articles published between 2010 and 2025, selected using PRISMA 2020 guidelines and sourced from Scopus and Web of Science databases. A mixed-method approach combines bibliometric mapping and qualitative content analysis to investigate how LC and CE are jointly operationalized in construction contexts. The findings reveal that LC improves cost, time, and workflow reliability, while CE enables reuse, modularity, and lifecycle extension. Integration is further supported by digital tools—such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA), and digital twins—which enhance traceability and flow optimization. Nonetheless, persistent barriers—including supply chain fragmentation, lack of standards, and regulatory gaps—continue to constrain widespread adoption. This review identifies six strategic enablers for LC-CE integration: crossdisciplinary competencies, collaborative governance, interoperable digital systems, standardized indicators, incentive-based regulation, and pilot demonstrator projects. By consolidating fragmented evidence, the study provides a structured research agenda and practical insights to guide the transition toward more circular, efficient, and sustainable construction practices.

Keywords: lean construction; circular economy; construction industry; sustainability; project performance; systematic review; BIM; deconstruction; PRISMA (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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